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How to Be a Savvy Snacker—According to Deliciously Ella

When trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle, many would agree that snacking is their downfall. A packet of sweets or bar of creamy chocolate can be like kryptonite to someone on a healthy diet. If you love to snack, you can factor in healthy options that are not only tasty and more adventurous than a piece of fruit but are also packed with micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). The key is to follow a good old-fashioned recipe and make your own, or to shop for healthy snacks that don't contain any hidden nasties (like preservatives and E numbers).

Our obsession with "eating clean" has led to a rise in healthy Instagrammers and wellness gurus. Among them is Deliciously Ella, a vlogger, author and now deli owner (The Mae Delis are based on Seymour Place and Weighhouse Street in London). Ella has shared tons of tasty recipes on her YouTube channel, and here we reveal the three sweet snack recipes we love. From her green smoothie recipe to her new-and-improved sweet potato brownie recipe, keep scrolling for recipes you can try at home from Deliciously Ella.

"Homemade smoothies are a great way of satisfying a sweet tooth," Ella told Harper's Bazaar. "Adding in things like frozen banana will make it taste super sweet and creamy. You can also pack in things like crunchy almond butter and spinach—to ensure sure you're getting all your nutrients in without it tasting overly healthy."

There has been much debate over whether healthy brownies like Ella's really are better for you than a regular brownie. Essentially there are two factors at play here: If you're trying to be healthy, a homemade brownie made with wholesome nutrient-rich ingredients like this is a great choice. But you need to keep calories in mind (especially if you're watching your weight). Just because it's packed with good stuff doesn't mean it has fewer calories than processed versions, meaning that you still should view this as an occasional tasty treat.

Ella told Nutrition Stripped what her favourite foods are: "There are three things—avocado, hummus and dates. I love all three so much that I couldn't pick!" Dates make up the basis for these cashew and ginger energy treats. You can buy these energy balls ready-made for convenience, but Ella has kindly shared the recipe for those who want to make them at home.